For primary grades, the major focus is centered around ELA standards and teaching students reading strategies.
When planning an interdisciplinary STEM unit, the easiest place to start is finding literature that aligns with the theme or unit connected to your science goals.
'Straw Rockets' Standards/Curriculum
Literature Connections (read-a-loud)
HOW DO ENGINEERS SOLVE PROBLEMS?
NRC Core Question: ETS1: Engineering Design
What Is a Design for?
What are the criteria and constraints of a successful solution?
NRC Component Question ETS1.A: Defining & Delimiting an Engineering Problem
HOW CAN ONE EXPLAIN AND PREDICT INTERACTIONS BETWEEN OBJECTS AND WITHIN SYSTEMS OF OBJECTS?
NRC Core Question: PS2: Motion and Stability
How can one predict an object’s continued motion, changes in motion, or stability?
NRC Component Question: PS2.A: Forces and Motion
Objective (Students will be able):
To generate explanations based on evidence from tests of model
Learning Outcomes (Student will demonstrate the ability to):
LO1a. to construct a model
LO1b. to hypothesize how the model will behave (i.e., different nose cone/fin lengths)
L01c: to test the model
This activity also aligns with:
NSES (B): PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Grades 5-8: (B) Properties of Objects & Materials
Position & Motion of Objects
NRC SCIENCE & ENGINEERING PRACTICES
2) Developing and using models
3) Planning and carrying out investigations
4) Analyzing & interpreting data
5) Using mathematical and computational thinking
6) Constructing explanations and designing solutions
NRC SCIENCE & ENGINEERING CROSSCUTTING CONCEPTS
2) Cause and effect
4) Systems and system models
Use a straw within a straw instead of rolling the paper to create the tube.
The younger students have a hard time rolling the paper around a pencil to create the tube. By having the two different sized straws, they are able to focus on creating the fins to attach to the body of the rocket
This will also give you the opportunity to have a controlled rocket body for all students and open up a discussion of the different sizes and effectiveness of the fins.
Creating a cone for your rocket presents similar challenges as rolling the paper for the tube. Placing a small ball of clay into the nosecone end also leads to possible issues. The help simplify this step, simply fold over the top of the straw and tape it down.
To expand this lesson and explore further:
add paper clips to the rocket to add weight and test the amount of force required when the object you are moving is heavier.
To save time, it is very helpful if you have extra rocket pieces (fins) already cut for students who struggle with cutting.
Bubbling-Blast Rockets!
Use this activity to address many of the same standards with forces of motion.
This activity uses a chemical reaction (Effervescing (fizzing) antacid tablet and water) to apply force to the rocket and simulate a launch).
The build up of pressure and gas from the reaction of the two substances causes the film canister lid to pop off and send you rocket flying in the opposite direction (using the force of motion)!
This activity can be a little messy, but SO EXCITING for the kids.
Allow the students a chance to decorate their rocket exterior and decide on the design on their fins. It is helpful to remind the students how weight affects the power necessary and the distance that their rocket will travel.
Primary Space, Forces and Rocketry Unit
Ellyssa Varner, 1st Grade
For primary grades, the major focus is centered around ELA standards and teaching students reading strategies.
When planning an interdisciplinary STEM unit, the easiest place to start is finding literature that aligns with the theme or unit connected to your science goals.
Standards/Curriculum
(read-a-loud)
NRC Core Question: ETS1: Engineering Design
What Is a Design for?
What are the criteria and constraints of a successful solution?
NRC Component Question ETS1.A: Defining & Delimiting an Engineering Problem
HOW CAN ONE EXPLAIN AND PREDICT INTERACTIONS BETWEEN OBJECTS
AND WITHIN SYSTEMS OF OBJECTS?
NRC Core Question: PS2: Motion and Stability
How can one predict an object’s continued motion, changes in motion, or stability?
NRC Component Question: PS2.A: Forces and Motion
Objective (Students will be able):
To generate explanations based on evidence from tests of model
Learning Outcomes (Student will demonstrate the ability to):
LO1a. to construct a model
LO1b. to hypothesize how the model will behave (i.e., different nose cone/fin lengths)
L01c: to test the model
Standards:
NSES: UNIFYING CONCEPTS & PROCESSES:
K-12: Evidence, models, and explanations
NSES (A): SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Grades K-4, 5-8: A3
NSES (E): SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Evaluate Completed Technological Design or Products
Grades K-4, 5-8: E1d
This activity also aligns with:
NSES (B): PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Grades 5-8: (B) Properties of Objects & Materials
Position & Motion of Objects
NRC SCIENCE & ENGINEERING PRACTICES
2) Developing and using models
3) Planning and carrying out investigations
4) Analyzing & interpreting data
5) Using mathematical and computational thinking
6) Constructing explanations and designing solutions
NRC SCIENCE & ENGINEERING CROSSCUTTING CONCEPTS
2) Cause and effect
4) Systems and system models
Reference:
Standards and activity can be found at
www.nasa.gov/centers/jpl/education/soda-**straw**-**rockets**.html
www.shpefoundation.org/media/docs/SodaStrawRockets.pdf
forces, motion, and gravity:
- Teaching Kids with Books
http://www.teachingkidsbooks.com/k-2nd-grade/force-motion-and-gravityOther connections, information, and activities:
Picture Books Perfect for Teaching Science
(5-E format Lesson Plan)
www.shpefoundation.org/media/docs/SodaStrawRockets.pdf
Bubbling-Blast Rockets!
Use this activity to address many of the same standards with forces of motion.This activity uses a chemical reaction (Effervescing (fizzing) antacid tablet and water) to apply force to the rocket and simulate a launch).
The build up of pressure and gas from the reaction of the two substances causes the film canister lid to pop off and send you rocket flying in the opposite direction (using the force of motion)!
This activity can be a little messy, but SO EXCITING for the kids.
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/pop-rocket/en/
http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/filmrocket.php
Allow the students a chance to decorate their rocket exterior and decide on the design on their fins. It is helpful to remind the students how weight affects the power necessary and the distance that their rocket will travel.